Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 161 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Fulltext Knowledge of sexual and reproductive health among adolescents attending school in Kelantan, Malaysia
    Ab Rahman A, Ab Rahman R, Ibrahim MI, Salleh H, Ismail SB, Ali SH, et al.
    Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2011 May;42(3):717-25.
    PMID: 21706952
    The objectives of this study were to describe the knowledge of sexual and reproductive health among adolescents attending school and to compare the levels of knowledge between males and females and between older and younger groups of adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,034 secondary school students using a self administered validated questionnaire. The items with the fewest correct responses included: whether one can get pregnant after a single act of sexual intercourse (30.4%), whether sexual intercourse causes sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) (12.4%) and whether washing the vagina after sexual intercourse prevents pregnancy (17.0%). Their main source of sexual information was friends (64.4%). An independent t-test revealed the mean knowledge score was significantly higher among females than males on items assessing whether the genitalia may be touched freely by family members, females having attained menarche may become pregnant if having sex, whether pregnancy will occur if there is penetration of the penis into the vagina, whether premarital sexual intercourse causes pregnancy and if there is a relationship between abandoned babies and premarital pregnancies. The mean knowledge score assessing whether pregnancy can be prevented using condoms was higher among males than females. The mean knowledge scores were significantly higher among form four and form five students than forms one, two and three students. Lack of knowledge regarding important aspects of sexual and reproductive health warrant the need to strengthen sexual and reproductive health education.
  2. The use of herbal medicines during pregnancy and perinatal mortality in Tumpat District, Kelantan, Malaysia
    Ab Rahman A, Ahmad Z, Naing L, Sulaiman SA, Hamid AM, Daud WN
    Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2007 Nov;38(6):1150-7.
    PMID: 18613559
    The objective of this case-control study was to determine the association between herbal medicine use during pregnancy and perinatal mortality in Tumpat District, Kelantan, Malaysia. Cases were mothers who gave birth from June 2002 to June 2005 with a history of perinatal mortality, while controls were those without a history of perinatal infant mortality. A total of 316 mothers (106 cases and 210 controls) were interviewed. The use of unidentified herbs prepared by traditional midwives and other types of herbal medicines during the first trimester of pregnancy were positively associated with perinatal mortality (OR = 5.24, 95% CI = 1.13; 24.23 and OR = 8.90, 95%, CI = 1.35; 58.53, respectively). The use of unidentified "Orang Asli" herbs and coconut oil during the third trimester of pregnancy were negatively associated with perinatal mortality in Tumpat (OR = 0.10, 95% CI = 0.02; 0.59 and OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.25; 0.92, respectively). These findings suggest the use of unidentified "Orang Asli" herbs and coconut oil in late pregnancy are protective against perinatal mortality, while the use of unidentified herbs prepared by traditional midwives and other types of herbal medicines in early pregnancy has an increased risk of perinatal infant mortality. Pharmacological studies to confirm and identify the compounds in these herbs and their effects on the fetus should be conducted in the future.
  3. Drug and chemical poisoning admissions at a teaching hospital in Malaysia
    Ab Rahman AF
    Hum Exp Toxicol, 2002 Jul;21(7):377-81.
    PMID: 12269700
    A retrospective review of medical records was carried out to determine the pattern of drug and chemical poisoning cases admitted to a teaching hospital in Malaysia. Medical records of patients admitted during the period January 1987 to December 1995 were reviewed. They accounted for 0.2% of total admissions during the period. While all ages were represented, there was predominance of children, which showed little change throughout the nine-year period. Of all cases of poisoning, 77.8% were unintentional, 12.6% intentional and 9.6% were undetermined. Kerosene, pesticides and medicinal substances remained the common agents associated with poisoning. A significant number of patients sought treatment elsewhere before being admitted to the hospital. Of those who came directly to the hospital, many were presented late in the course of their poisoning. Only seven patients died and none were children. This study supports the need for greater emphasis on prevention of poisoning in children and among farmers in the state.
  4. Handling of drug-related inquiries by hospital nurses
    Ab Rahman AF, Budiarti LE
    J Clin Pharm Ther, 1998 Apr;23(2):127-31.
    PMID: 9786098
    To determine how nurses handled drug-related questions in the work environment of a teaching hospital in Malaysia and the type of information sources they used.
  5. Fulltext Developing a Risk Governance Framework on Radiological Emergency, Preparedness, and Response for Emergency Responders: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study
    Abd Rahman A, Abdul Manaf R, Lim PY, Suppiah S, Juni MH
    JMIR Res Protoc, 2021 Aug 13;10(8):e25877.
    PMID: 34398793 DOI: 10.2196/25877
    BACKGROUND: Risk governance involves processes and mechanisms to understand how risk decisions are taken and executed. This concept has gained a reputation over time as being essential for emerging comprehensive management that defines the success of an organization. While guiding documents that explain the use of risk management related to nuclear safety and security are available worldwide, few locally conducted studies have explained risk governance practices in areas where hazard usage is known, such as in radiological emergencies.

    OBJECTIVE: This paper describes a protocol that was used to determine several factors that influence emergency responders' perceptions toward radiological risk practices and visualize the risk radiological framework for emergency preparedness and response.

    METHODS: A mixed methods study with a convergent design was performed. A qualitative analysis was performed using a case study approach where 6 key informants were purposely sampled for in-depth interview, and a cross-sectional study involving a self-administered questionnaire was conducted among approximately 260 emergency respondents from national regulatory, research, and services organizations. NVivo (version 12, QSR International) was used to analyze the interview transcripts and emerging themes were identified through abductive coding. Simultaneously, multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine significant predictors that form the equation model.

    RESULTS: The study is still underway. Qualitative findings were based on transcript-coding that informed the relevant thematic analysis, while statistical analyses including multiple logistic regression analysis measured the adjusted odds ratio of significant variables for the equation model. The study is expected to conclude in late 2021.

    CONCLUSIONS: Important emerging themes and significant factors that are related to the emergency responders' perceptions regarding radiological governance practices were determined through the convergent design. This potentially facilitated the development of a plausible radiological risk governance framework. Furthermore, our results will provide key insights that can be used in future studies.

    INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/25877.

  6. Design method of a focusing dielectric lens antenna and temperature increment measurement at the focusing spot
    Abd Rahman A, Kamardin K, Yamada Y, Takahashi M
    Heliyon, 2024 Mar 30;10(6):e28061.
    PMID: 38545209 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28061
    In radio wave hyperthermia therapy, array antenna configuration was mainly studied to generate a small spot at the diseased part. Array antennas have the flexibility in controlling radiation performance, such as spot positions, by using their numerous radiating elements. However, the flexibility is achieved at the expense of antenna structure complexity. On the other hand, a lens antenna can concentrate radio waves into a small spot by forming a lens shape. The simplicity of a lens antenna structure lends itself to easy handling in a practical application. Moreover, the frequency independence of the lens antenna allows for a more flexible selection of hyperthermia therapy frequencies. Therefore, the lens antenna is selected as a focusing antenna in this paper. The lens shaping method and the temperature increment measurement are the main contents of this paper. The designed lens has a diameter of 30 cm, a focusing distance of 30 cm, and a working frequency of 2.45 GHz. A thin lens design method is applied to reduce lens weight. Firstly, the focusing ability of the designed lens is ensured by comparing the spot size results of electromagnetic (EM) simulation with its theoretical value. A spot size of 1.77 cm is obtained in both cases. Next, the temperature increment is examined by EM simulations. The temperature at the 2 cm tumor was increased to 41 °C from the human body temperature of 37 °C by an input power of 10 Watts (W). For the temperature increment measurement, a tumor within human body phantom is utilized and the available input power is reduced to 4 W. The tumor temperature increased from 21.5 °C of room temperature to 24.4 °C, which was captured by a thermal imaging camera. As a result, the functionality of the lens antenna for hyperthermia therapy is verified.
  7. Fulltext Gamma-tocotrienol and hydroxy-chavicol synergistically inhibits growth and induces apoptosis of human glioma cells
    Abdul Rahman A, Jamal AR, Harun R, Mohd Mokhtar N, Wan Ngah WZ
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2014;14:213.
    PMID: 24980711 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-213
    Gamma-tocotrienol (GTT), an isomer of vitamin E and hydroxy-chavicol (HC), a major bioactive compound in Piper betle, has been reported to possess anti-carcinogenic properties by modulating different cellular signaling events. One possible strategy to overcome multi-drug resistance and high toxic doses of treatment is by applying combinational therapy especially using natural bioactives in cancer treatment.
  8. Fulltext Senescence-related changes in gene expression of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from octo/nonagenarians compared to their offspring
    Abdul Rahman A, Abdul Karim N, Abdul Hamid NA, Harun R, Ngah WZ
    Oxid Med Cell Longev, 2013;2013:189129.
    PMID: 24381713 DOI: 10.1155/2013/189129
    Mechanisms determining both functional rate of decline and the time of onset in aging remain elusive. Studies of the aging process especially those involving the comparison of long-lived individuals and young controls are fairly limited. Therefore, this research aims to determine the differential gene expression profile in related individuals from villages in Pahang, Malaysia. Genome-wide microarray analysis of 18 samples of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from two groups: octo/nonagenarians (80-99 years old) and their offspring (50.2 ± 4.0 years old) revealed that 477 transcripts were age-induced and 335 transcripts were age-repressed with fold changes ≥1.2 in octo/nonagenarians compared to offspring. Interestingly, changes in gene expression were associated with increased capacity for apoptosis (BAK1), cell cycle regulation (CDKN1B), metabolic process (LRPAP1), insulin action (IGF2R), and increased immune and inflammatory response (IL27RA), whereas response to stress (HSPA8), damage stimulus (XRCC6), and chromatin remodelling (TINF2) pathways were downregulated in octo/nonagenarians. These results suggested that systemic telomere maintenance, metabolism, cell signalling, and redox regulation may be important for individuals to maintain their healthy state with advancing age and that these processes play an important role in the determination of the healthy life-span.
  9. Fulltext Female sterilization with Hulka clips--initial experience at the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur
    Abdul Rahman A, Sivanesaratnam V, Nuruddin AA
    Med J Malaysia, 1982 Sep;37(3):276-80.
    PMID: 7177012
    An analysis of 86 patients sterilized laparoscopically with Hulka clips is presented. We find that the method is simple, acceptable and has minimal complication. The failure rate is similar to that reported by others. However, this method could be done under local anaesthesia thus shortening the hospital stay for the patients. This method has the advantage of safety and prospects for reversal when desired.
  10. Fulltext Laparoscopic sterilization with fallope rings - a Malaysian experience
    Abdul Rahman A, Sinnathuray TA, Sivanesaratnam V, Ng KH
    Med J Malaysia, 1981 Jun;36(2):92-9.
    PMID: 6211595
    The early Malaysian experience of laparoscopic sterilisation with the Fallope tubal rings, as undertaken at the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Unit of the University Hospital, University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is reported in a study of 291 consecutive females that had had the procedure undertaken during the one year period, May 1975 to April 1976. Of the 291 cases, 247 women were sterilised in the "interval" period, 43 after "menstrual regulation" procedure and one after a spontaneous abortion. General anaesthesia was used in all except one case. The salient socio-demographic, contraceptive and reproductive characteristics of study cases are presented and discussed. The technical problems, the early complications and morbidity encountered in this study are presented and discussed in the light of other similar studies, and in relation to sterilisation by laparoscopic tubal electrocoagulation. The overall impression is that laparoscopic sterilisation with the Fallope tubal rings is preferred to that by tubal electrocoagulation, in view of the possible inadvertent serious electrical burns of other structures during the use of the latter procedure.
  11. Transcriptome analysis reveals the molecular mechanisms of combined gamma-tocotrienol and hydroxychavicol in preventing the proliferation of 1321N1, SW1783, and LN18 glioma cancer cells
    Abdul Rahman A, Mokhtar NM, Harun R, Jamal R, Wan Ngah WZ
    J Physiol Biochem, 2019 Nov;75(4):499-517.
    PMID: 31414341 DOI: 10.1007/s13105-019-00699-z
    Gamma-tocotrienol (GTT) and hydroxychavicol (HC) exhibit anticancer activity in glioma cancer cells, where the combination of GTT + HC was shown to be more effective than single agent. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of GTT + HC by measuring the cell cycle progression, migration, invasion, and colony formation of glioma cancer cells and elucidating the changes in gene expression mitigated by GTT + HC that are critical to the chemoprevention of glioma cell lines 1321N1 (grade II), SW1783 (grade III), and LN18 (grade IV) using high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Results of gene expression levels and alternative splicing transcripts were validated by qPCR. Exposure of glioma cancer cells to GTT + HC for 24 h promotes cell cycle arrest at G2M and S phases and inhibits cell migration, invasion, and colony formation of glioma cancer cells. The differential gene expression induced by GTT + HC clustered into response to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, cell cycle regulations, apoptosis, cell migration/invasion, cell growth, and DNA repair. Subnetwork analysis of genes altered by GTT + HC revealed central genes, ATF4 and XBP1. The modulation of EIF2AK3, EDN1, and FOXM1 were unique to 1321N1, while CSF1, KLF4, and FGF2 were unique to SW1783. PLK2 and EIF3A gene expressions were only altered in LN18. Moreover, GTT + HC treatment dynamically altered transcripts and alternative splicing expression. GTT + HC showed therapeutic potential against glioma cancer as evident by the inhibition of cell cycle progression, migration, invasion, and colony formation of glioma cancer cells, as well as the changes in gene expression profiles with key targets in ER unfolded protein response pathway, apoptosis, cell cycle, and migration/invasion.
  12. Fulltext RNA-seq analysis of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) fruit ripening
    Abdul-Rahman A, Goh HH, Loke KK, Noor NM, Aizat WM
    Genom Data, 2017 Jun;12:159-160.
    PMID: 28560167 DOI: 10.1016/j.gdata.2017.05.013
    Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) is known for its delectable taste and contains high amount of xanthones which have been reported to possess anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and other bioactive properties. However, stage-specific regulation of mangosteen fruit ripening has never been studied in detail. We have performed a comparative transcriptomic analysis of three ripening stages (Stage 0, 2 and 6) of mangosteen. We have obtained a raw data from six libraries through Illumina HiSeq 4000. A total of ~ 40 Gb of raw data were generated. Clean reads of 650,887,650 (bp) were obtained from 656,913,570 (bp) raw reads. The raw transcriptome data were deposited to SRA database, with the BioProject accession number of PRJNA339916. These data will be beneficial for transcriptome profiling in order to study the regulation of mangosteen fruit ripening. The lack of a complete sequence database from this species impedes protein identification. These data sets provide a reference data for the exploration of novel genes or proteins to understand mangosteen fruit ripening behaviour.
  13. Fulltext Prehypertensive state, mild hypertension, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors among young adults in rural Malaysia
    Abdullah Aszrin, Shah M. Azarisman, Rahman A. Jamaluddin, Razak A. Tariq, Noor M. Noriah
    International Medical Journal Malaysia, 2018;17(1):47-54.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Prehypertension precedes overt hypertension and has been acknowledged by many guidelines.
    Hypertension is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease in Malaysia. Hypertension prevalence is
    at 42.6% and population-based control is poor at 26.8%. The objective of the study is to ascertain the
    cardiovascular risk profile of prehypertensive and mildly hypertensive young adults against age-matched
    controls in rural Malaysia. Methods: 484 (four hundred and eighty four) subjects attending primary care
    clinic were screened. 91 (Ninety one) young adults with pre/mild hypertension and normotensive, agematched controls were enrolled. The blood pressure and biochemical profiles for both groups were assessed
    and compared. Results: Fifty-four subjects and 37 controls were enrolled. Amongst subjects, 46.3% had
    prehypertension and 53.7% had mild hypertension. Mean values compared to age-matched controls for MAP
    were 102.68 ± 7.48 vs 83.25 ± 6.08 mmHg (p< 0.001), LDL 3.75 ± 0.95 vs 3.32 ± 0.93 mmol/L (p=0.03), FBG
    4.65 ± 0.54 vs 4.33 ± 0.42 mmol/L (p=0.03), BMI 28.81 ± 5.16 vs 24.12 ± 4.91 (p< 0.001). The mean BP was
    significantly associated with BMI, FBG, triglycerides, HDL and the TC/HDL ratio. Conclusions: Greater BMI,
    FBG, HDL, triglyceride levels and TC/HDL ratio characterised the young adults with pre/mild hypertension.
    The data suggests that hypertension in young adults is secondary to metabolic syndrome.
  14. Prolonging the interval from ovarian hyperstimulation to laparoscopic ovum pick-up improves oocyte yield, quality, and developmental competence in goats
    Abdullah RB, Liow SL, Rahman AN, Chan WK, Wan-Khadijah WE, Ng SC
    Theriogenology, 2008 Sep 15;70(5):765-71.
    PMID: 18579196 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.04.052
    The objective was to evaluate the effect of the interval between ovarian hyperstimulation and laparoscopic ovum pick-up (LOPU) on quality and developmental competence of goat oocytes before and after in vitro maturation (IVM) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Estrus was synchronized with an intravaginal insert containing 0.3g progesterone (CIDR) for 10d, combined with a luteolytic treatment of 125 microg cloprostenol 36 h prior to CIDR removal. Ovaries were hyperstimulated with 70 mg FSH and 500 IU hCG given im 36, 60, or 72 h prior to LOPU (n=15, 16, and 7 does, respectively). For these groups, oocyte retrieval rates (mean+/-S.E.M.) were 24.7+/-2.9, 54.5+/-4.7, and 82.8+/-4.6% (P<0.001), and the proportions of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) with more than five layers of cumulus cells were 29.7+/-8.3, 37.6+/-6.9, and 37.3+/-7.0% (P<0.001). The proportion of IVM oocytes was highest at 72 h (82.1+/-2.8%; P<0.05), with no significant difference between 36 and 60 h (57.3+/-8.9% and 69.0+/-8.4%). Cleavage rates of ICSI embryos were 4.2+/-4.2, 70.9+/-8.4, and 78.9+/-8.2% with LOPU 36, 60, and 72 h post FSH/hCG (P<0.01), with a lower proportion of Grade-A embryos (P<0.05) following LOPU at 36 h compared to 60 and 72 h (29.7+/-8.3%, 37.6+/-6.9%, and 37.3+/-7.0%). In summary, a prolonged interval from FSH/hCG to LOPU improved oocyte retrieval rate and oocyte quality. Therefore, under the present conditions, LOPU 60 or 72 h after FSH/hCG optimized yields of good-quality oocytes for IVM and embryo production in goats.
  15. Fulltext Understanding the Impact of Perfluorinated Compounds on Cardiovascular Diseases and Their Risk Factors: A Meta-Analysis Study
    Abdullah Soheimi SS, Abdul Rahman A, Abd Latip N, Ibrahim E, Sheikh Abdul Kadir SH
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021 08 06;18(16).
    PMID: 34444092 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168345
    Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are non-biodegradable synthetic chemical compounds that are widely used in manufacturing many household products. Many studies have reported the association between PFCs exposure with the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, those reports are still debatable, due to their findings. Thus, this review paper aimed to analyse the association of PFCs compound with CVDs and their risk factors in humans by systematic review and meta-analysis. Google Scholar, PubMed and ScienceDirect were searched for PFCs studies on CVDs and their risk from 2009 until present. The association of PFCs exposure with the prevalence of CVDs and their risk factors were assessed by calculating the quality criteria, odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). CVDs risk factors were divided into serum lipid profile (main risk factor) and other known risk factors. The meta-analysis was then used to derive a combined OR test for heterogeneity in findings between studies. Twenty-nine articles were included. Our meta-analysis indicated that PFCs exposure could be associated with CVDs (Test for overall effect: z = 2.2, p = 0.02; Test for heterogeneity: I2 = 91.6%, CI = 0.92-1.58, p < 0.0001) and their risk factors (Test for overall effect: z = 4.03, p < 0.0001; Test for heterogeneity: I2 = 85.8%, CI = 1.00-1.14, p < 0.0001). In serum lipids, total cholesterol levels are frequently reported associated with the exposure of PFCs. Among PFCs, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) exposure increased the risk of CVDs than other types of PFCs. Although the risk of PFOA and PFOS were positively associated with CVDs and their risk factors, more observational studies shall be carried out to identify the long-term effects of these contaminants in premature CVDs development in patients.
  16. Fulltext Knowledge, attitude and perception of second-hand smoke and factors promoting smoking in Malaysian adolescents
    Abidin NZ, Zulkifli A, Abidin EZ, Rasdi I, Ismail SN, Rahman AA, et al.
    Int J Tuberc Lung Dis, 2014 Jul;18(7):856-61.
    PMID: 24902566 DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.13.0906
    OBJECTIVE: To identify the relationship between knowledge, attitude and perception regarding environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and smoking among Malaysian adolescents living in states with complete or partial smoke-free legislation (SFL).
    METHODS: A total of 898 respondents aged 13-14 years were randomly selected from 21 secondary schools. The Malay version of the modified Global Youth Tobacco Survey questionnaire was used. Hierarchical logistic regression was performed in examining predictors of smoking attempt among adolescents.
    RESULTS: Participants exposed to ETS >5 h/day were more likely to have smoked compared to those exposed to ETS <1 h/day (OR 4.1, 95%CI 1.03-16.0). Living in a state with partial SFL was associated with a two-fold increase in self-reported smoking attempts (OR 1.95, 95%CI 1.10-3.43) compared to living in a state with complete SFL. Negative attitudes and perceptions towards smoking and ETS exposure were linked to lower smoking attempts in states with complete SFL.
    CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents with limited ETS exposure who lived in a state with complete SFL were less likely to attempt smoking compared to those exposed more regularly to ETS and living in a state with partial SFL. Preventing adolescents from becoming smokers is the key to reducing national prevalence rates in smoking. There is a need to implement comprehensive smoke-free legislation nationally across Malaysia.
  17. Fulltext Fish oil supplementation is beneficial on caloric intake, appetite and mid upper arm muscle circumference in children with leukaemia
    Abu Zaid Z, Shahar S, Jamal AR, Mohd Yusof NA
    Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2012;21(4):502-10.
    PMID: 23017308
    A randomised trial was carried out to determine the effect of supplementation of fish oil among 51 children with leukaemia aged 4 to 12 years on appetite level, caloric intake, body weight and lean body mass. They were randomly allocated into the trial group (TG) and the control group (CG). At baseline, 30.8% of TG subjects and 44.0% of CG subjects were malnourished and 7.7% of subject from TG and 28.0% from CG were classified as stunted. The majority of subjects from TG and CG were in the mild malnutrition category for mid upper arm muscle circumference (MUAMC)-for-age. The TG group showed significant increment in MUAMC (0.13 cm vs -0.09 cm) compared with CG at 8 weeks (p<0.001). There was a significant higher increase for appetite level (0.12±0.33) (p<0.05) and an increasing trend on energy and protein intake in the TG group (213±554 kcal; 3.64 ±26.8 g) than in the CG group. In conclusion, supplementation of fish oil has a positive effect on appetite level, caloric intake and MUAMC among children with leukaemia.
  18. The knowledge, awareness, attitude and motivational analysis of plastic waste and household perspective in Malaysia
    Afroz R, Rahman A, Masud MM, Akhtar R
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2017 Jan;24(3):2304-2315.
    PMID: 27812970 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-7942-0
    The focus of this study is to analyze the level of knowledge, awareness, and attitude toward plastic waste and to distinguish the key drivers that encourage the households in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to participate in "No plastic campaign," This study used the logistic regression model to explain the factors that may affect the willingness to participate (WTP) of households in the campaign. In this study, it is found that 35 % of households are willing to participate in the campaign. The results of the study also indicate that people who are more informed and more convinced of their knowledge have a more positive attitude toward recycling than their counterparts do. Furthermore, this study provides additional evidence of the level and classification of importance of motivating factors for plastic recycling, using the modified average and coefficient of variation of the models. From the analysis, the factor "helps reduce landfill use" is found as the most important factor and the factor of "raising money for charity" is found as the least important factor that motivates households to participate in recycling. The determinations of the study suggest some strategies that could hold implications for government and households to boost them to participate in the campaign "No Plastic Bag."
  19. Fulltext Development and physico-chemical analysis of granola formulated with puffed glutinous rice and selected dried Sunnah foods
    Agbaje, R., Hassan, C. Z., Norlelawati, A., Huda-Faujan, N., Abdul Rahman, A.
    International Food Research Journal, 2016;23(2):498-506.
    MyJurnal
    The need for nutritional and functional foods has increased. Consumers, these days, do not
    eat snacks only to provide satisfaction for their hunger, but also to supply essential nutrients
    to body. The objective of this study was to develop six formulations of granolas/cereal bars
    using different combination of Sunnah fruits such as dates (Phoenix dactylifera), raisins (Vitis
    vinifera L.) and figs (Ficus carica). The cereal bars were formulated using dry raw materials
    (glutinous rice, black Cummins, etc.) and binding agents (honey and glucose syrup). The cereal
    bars were assessed for water activity and proximate composition. It was observed that the
    sample B, made with 70 g of glucose syrup, 100 g honey and 450 g of total fruits had the
    highest value of moisture (18.73%) as compared to other formulations (P˂ 0.05). There were no
    differences in protein contents of the cereal bars formulated. Ash contents of the formulations
    were significantly different (P˂ 0.05) in samples B and F; the values ranged between 0.97%
    and 1.88%. The fat contents were significantly different with formulation B having the highest
    fat content (10.72%) and carbohydrate contents were affected by fibre contents; samples with
    lower crude fibres had higher carbohydrate contents which also reflect in the energy contents
    of the granola/cereal bar samples. Lowest aw (water activity) was observed in the samples with
    lower fruit contents which could be as a result of their lower moisture contents. According to
    the results, incorporation of glutinous rice flakes with different composition Sunnah foods and
    binding agents; honey and glucose syrup can be used to formulate cereal bars with appreciable
    proximate and energy contents.
  20. Fulltext Development and Validation of Positive Smoker Identity Questionnaire (PSmoQi): A New Instrument for Smoking Cessation Correlates
    Ahmad MH, Ibrahim MI, Ab Rahman A, Musa KI, Mohd Zin F, Mohd Zain R, et al.
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2019 01 26;16(3).
    PMID: 30691181 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16030351
    Background: The positive smoker identity construct, which was based on West's PRIME Theory, affected the smoking prevalence, quit attempts and cessation success. A validated questionnaire which could measure this rich and complex construct may facilitate prediction models of successful cessation. We aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire that assesses positive smoker identity based on West's PRIME Theory. Method: The initial item pool was developed based on a theoretical framework, empirical literature, existing scales and expert review. The questionnaire was conveniently distributed to 100 smokers. Exploratory factor analysis was utilized to explore domains in the questionnaire. Construct and criterion validity, internal consistency and reliability of the domains were analyzed. Results: The final positive smoker identity questionnaire (PSmoQi) has 26 items under four internally-consistent and reliable domains: Contributory factors, contextual and temporal patterning, identity related to smoking, and behaviour in relation to smoking. The full scale demonstrated good internal consistency (∝ = 0.78), acceptable convergent and divergent validity, and good concurrent validity with the smoker self-concept scale. Conclusion: The current study provides fundamental evidence for the PSmoQi as a valid instrument in research related to smoking cessation and interventional strategy. The PSmoQi contained validated domains which could measure almost a full spectrum of smoking cessation components.
Related Terms
    Try searching for something
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links